1
as in to cope
to meet one's day-to-day needs
we're not rich, but we're making out all right
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to understand
to have a clear idea of
I can't quite make out what she is trying to say
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to pretend
to take on a false or deceptive appearance
he tried to make out that he didn't mind losing his job, but friends suspected he was desperately worried
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to derive
to form an opinion or reach a conclusion through reasoning and information
as best as I can make out, the police were informed of the incident but didn't think it was worth investigating
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of make out
Mike showed Drew something on his phone that Drew couldn’t make out, maybe an early typewriter.
—
Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025
That all structures that are built out of atoms and their constituents — including molecules, ions, and enzymes — can be described based on the fundamental laws of nature and the component structures that they’re made out of.
—Big Think, 16 Oct. 2025
The look was paired with a pair of pink high-heels with straps that wrapped around her leg until just above her knee, as well as a large structure made out of pink fabric.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025
The decision to forego the open houses was made out of security concerns as well as a desire to take action for Palestinians, said COSMOS president Siddiqui.
—Miami Herald, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for make out
Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025
That all structures that are built out of atoms and their constituents — including molecules, ions, and enzymes — can be described based on the fundamental laws of nature and the component structures that they’re made out of.
—Big Think, 16 Oct. 2025
The look was paired with a pair of pink high-heels with straps that wrapped around her leg until just above her knee, as well as a large structure made out of pink fabric.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025
The decision to forego the open houses was made out of security concerns as well as a desire to take action for Palestinians, said COSMOS president Siddiqui.
—Miami Herald, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for make out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for make out
Verb
-
The virtual event is intended to give participants emotional support, new coping skills and encouragement.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Trad wives cope with this by seeking to marry men who will provide for them.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Trade patterns and alliances may shift but great companies understand the importance of rotating across geographies to develop talent for leadership roles.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Lyra’s quest to understand Dust brings her into confrontation with human and other worldly forces who champion moral absolutism over imagination, ignorance over knowledge, authoritarianism over free will and cold, disinterested rationality over empathy.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The one approach that never works is to pretend that the behavior isn’t happening.—
Susan Caminiti,
CNBC,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Those people have pretended to be censored and had a really hard time, like their speech is being taken away, but they’re being paid millions of dollars by the richest people in the world to protect the status quo.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Just like the blueberry milk, milky rose, and matcha latte nails that came before it, the name is derived from the shade used to achieve the look.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Because they are derived from patient-specific stem cells, researchers can create personalized versions that reflect an individual’s genetic makeup.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Five times in these league championship series, the home fans have shown up and done their thing.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
But some residents in Altadena whose homes were destroyed feel the utility company should have done more to protect them.—
Chiara Eisner,
NPR,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Returning for a record-breaking 23rd season on SNL, Kenan Thompson is not currently known to be dating anyone.—
Alyssa Davis,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Tiki-Ti — Los Angeles, California Arguably one of the best dive bars in the Golden State, the 20-seat Tiki-Ti was founded in 1961 by Filipino immigrant Ray Buhen and is known for its intimate atmosphere, classic rum cocktails and kitschy decor.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
As the team struggles with grief, Sharon decides to pull Station 42 off active duty entirely, rather than assign a new captain.—
Alamin Yohannes,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
-
When New Jersey suddenly came down hard on business, neighbouring Delaware decided to rewrite its rulebook to scoop up companies fleeing the state.—
Jan Hammer,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
No, Lindsey did not decipher a few revealing tarot cards or see the future inside a crystal ball.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
12 Oct. 2025
-
The iPhone also has the ability to decipher what objects, people or pets are in photographs taken by users.—
Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Make out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/make%20out. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share